A federal judge Thursday sealed provocative e-mails between the Harris County District Attorney and a woman who works in his office, but 11 News had already obtained copies of the e-mails.

The e-mails in question were unsealed Friday as a result of a motion 11 News filed.

They surfaced as exhibits in a civil rights lawsuit filed against the Harris County Sheriff’s Office by two brothers who photographed deputies executing a search warrant on a neighbor’s property.

The lawsuit alleges DA Chuck Rosenthal refused to investigate the sheriff’s office.

While preparing for the case, attorneys for the brothers ran across some e-mails of an intimate nature that Rosenthal had sent to his executive secretary.

In a message dated Aug. 10, Rosenthal wrote, “The very next time I see you, I want to kiss you behind your right ear.”

But Thursday, in an emergency hearing requested by Rosenthal’s attorney, a federal judge resealed the documents.

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to be heard by the court,” attorney Ronald Lewis said. “Courts always work to do the best the can. I have no further comment on the matter.”

“Our contention has always been the public should have access to see what their elected officials are doing on taxpayer time and taxpayer equipment,” plaintiffs’ attorney David Tang said.

Rosenthal contends the attorneys representing the brothers have a political motive for including the e-mails in their lawsuit.